Duane Barrett's Obituary
Duane Cain Barrett, 77, passed away peacefully at the Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville, NC on Saturday, March 4, 2017. She was was born on November 17, 1939, in Blackville, SC and raised in Orangeburg, SC. As an adult, Duane lived in numerous locations as far away as California before settling in the Charlotte region for her final years. Her last residence was Monroe Manor Assisted Living in Monroe, NC.
Duane was an educator in both North and South Carolina, teaching English to high school juniors and seniors for over 15 years. In the latter part of her career she obtained her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology and became a high school guidance counselor. She loved inspiring young people, and as a counselor she helped many students gain entry into Ivy League colleges.
Music was a life-long passion; she played multiple instruments in high school and was a pianist and trained vocalist. While her musical tastes ranged from big band and rock-n-roll to standards and classical, religious music fed her soul. She sang soprano as a soloist and directed and performed with many church choirs. In 1993, she traveled to Austria with Charlotte's Providence United Methodist Church's Chancel Choir and performed in the Salzburg Church Music Festival.
In addition to filling her home with music, Duane was always accompanied by something to read and frequently proclaimed that books were her best friends. She instilled in her three children a deep love for music, words, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Duane was preceded in death by her parents, D.J. and Beulah Cain, and her son Jonathan Scott Barrett. She is survived by two daughters, Karen (Mike) Sanford of Bryson City, NC and Kelly (Jim) Cochran of Charlotte, NC; two grandchildren, Nick (Kristen Suwegi) Sanford of Sylva, NC and Sarah Sanford of Bryson City, NC; three sisters, Jimmie Story (Joe), Matella Rudd, and Melissa Denny; three brothers Dolfo Cain Jr. (Dot), Walter Cain, Al Cain (Laurie); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A private memorial service to celebrate Duane's life will be held at Cross & Crown Lutheran Church in Matthews, NC. Donations can be made in her memory to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region or to the Alzheimer's Association.
The family would like to thank the staff at Monroe Manor, Levine & Dickson Hospice House of Huntersville, Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, and Regency Retirement Village for their incredible care during Duane's final stages of Alzheimer's disease.
James Funeral Home is serving the family (www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com).
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